Hollywood’s award season witnessed another triumph for “Oppenheimer” as the Christopher Nolan directed biopic secured the highest honor for an outstanding cast at the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday. Adding to its impressive tally, the film also celebrated individual wins for stars Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.
With the Academy Awards on the horizon, the SAG Awards have traditionally been an indicator of potential Oscar success, and “Oppenheimer” is emerging as the clear frontrunner. Already victorious at both the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs, the film stands as the most nominated at the Oscars with 13 nods, and its SAG Awards sweep only adds to its substantial Oscar buzz.
The annual SAG Awards ceremony this year introduced a new chapter in its history by being streamed live on Netflix, marking a significant shift from traditional broadcast methods. This adaptation led to unconventional changes in the awards show format: no commercial breaks, a more relaxed approach to language, and post-win backstage interviews conducted by Tan France. Idris Elba, who provided humorous commentary throughout the evening, reminded the attendees of the relaxed atmosphere, saying, “Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in front of Oprah.”
Despite its predictive nature, SAG victory is not always a guarantee of Oscar glory. Examples from recent years include “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Black Panther,” which, despite winning the guild awards, did not secure the Oscar. However, the trend from the past two SAG Award ceremonies has seen a perfect match between the main SAG winners and their respective Oscar recipients.
Among the highlights of the evening was the standing ovation received by Lily Gladstone, who claimed the accolade for female actor in a leading role for her impactful portrayal in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” This tightly contested category had alternated predictions between Gladstone and her fellow nominee Emma Stone for “Poor Things,” but it was Gladstone who emerged victorious. Her potential Oscar win would mark a historic first for Native Americans.
In the male leading role category, the competition was equally fierce. Murphy’s portrayal in “Oppenheimer” has been closely matched with Paul Giamatti’s work in “The Holdovers,” but following Murphy’s SAG victory, which complements his BAFTA and Globe wins, he appears to be the favorite as the award season culminates.
For supporting roles, Downey Jr.’s and Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s wins at the SAGs bolster their chances for Oscar victories. Downey Jr. humorously questioned his success as he accepted his award, and Randolph, celebrated for her role in “The Holdovers,” shared an inspiring message to her fellow actors about perseverance and the unpredictability of success in the industry.
Netflix’s new role as host and broadcaster for the SAG Awards underscored its influence on the changing landscape of the entertainment industry, a theme that resonated during the evening. The streaming service’s agreement to telecast the awards came after years of declining viewership on cable networks TNT and TBS.
The awards for television mirrored the patterns of the Emmys and Golden Globes, with “The Bear,” “Beef,” and “Succession” receiving honors. Pedro Pascal broke the mold with his unexpected win for best male actor in a drama series for “The Last of Us,” outpacing nominees from “Succession.”
The event also recognized the efforts of SAG-AFTRA during a strenuous strike aimed at addressing industry changes precipitated by streaming services like Netflix. Fran Drescher, the union’s president, commended the collective action.
Barbra Streisand’s lifetime achievement award was one of the evening’s most moving moments, with Jennifer Aniston and Bradley Cooper presenting the honor to the venerable artist.
The 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards may have concluded, but its outcomes will likely reverberate through the forthcoming Oscars, casting a spotlight on those performances and productions that captured both the guild’s and potentially the Academy’s adulation.
